Automobile-fender.



W. E. SYMONS. AUTOMOBILE FENDER.

APPLloATIoN nLED MAY15,1911.

Patented Jan. 21, 1913.

W. E. SYMONS.

AUTOMOBILE FENDER.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 15, 19u.

Patented Jan. 21, i913;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

pkw/f @Mundi W. E. SYMONS.

AUTOMOBILE FENDER. APIfLmATIoN FILED MAY 15.1911,

Patented Jan. 21, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

mm, mlmwl wi/lineages W. E. SYMONS.

AUTMBILE FENDER.

APPLIGATION FILED 11u15, 1911.

Patentfe M1121, 1913.

LLS.,

MTW

rior; i i Thigh-ai WILSON E. SYMONS, OF CHICAGO, LLINOIS.

AUTOMOBILE-FENDER.

Application led May 15. 1911.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Jan. 231i, MMS.

Serial No. 827,256.

Be it known that I, VILsou E. SYMONS, a citizen ot the United States, residing Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ot Illinois, have invented a nei' and usetul Automobile-Fender, otvivhich the following is a specification. l

The invention relates to improveiiieiits in tenders.

The object. ot the present invention is to improve the construction 'of tenders, and to provide a simple and eliicient automobile tender ot light and comparatively inexpen sive construction, adapted to be carried normally about the line ot axle clearance, and capable, should an automobile come in coritacty with a person or other object, of automatically dropping and of preventing` such person or object from beng run over by the automobile.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tender having a butter adapted to cushion the blow when an automobile strikes a person or is struck, and connected with the tender and capable oi" automatie-all) operatiiig the saine to drop the fender.

Another object of t-lie invention is to pro vide operating mechanism adapted to renable the chauteur or driver to drop the tender instantly, and capable o permittingr hini to readly elevate and re-set the. tender atter an operation thereof.

lilith these and other objects in vieu', the invention consists inthe construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter full)y described. illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that.. various changes in the torni, proportion, size and minor details of construction, Within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit oi' sacrificing any ot' the advantages ot the `inveiition.

ln the draWings:-Figiire lV is a vside elevation of an automobile tender, constructed in accordance with this invention, and shown applied to an automobile, the vfront portion thereof being illustrated in dotted lilies. Fig. Q, is a plan vien' ot the same. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the tender. a portion of the pneumatic buffer being broken-away. i and one ot the supporting side bars lieiiigiin 5 illustrated and described iii the pr section` Fig'. et is a transverse. sectional view j on the line i-l of Fig. 9. Fig. 5 is an ention of one sideof the device. Fig. t is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line t3--G ot Fig. Fig. 7 is a detail trans= verse sectional View on the line 7-T oi 5. Fig. S is a` similar View on the line 8 8 ot Fig. Fig. l) is horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line .9W-9 of F ig. 3. Fig. .l0 is a vertical sectional View ot the check dropping mechanism. Fig'. ll is a detail sectional view, illustrating 'the manner of mounting the operating lever for manually triijiping the fender.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures ot the drawings.

ln the aeconipauiing drawings in which is illustrated the preferred eii'ibodiment of the invention, l designates the fender proper. constructed ol suitable inetal and eoiisistii'ig ot' an approxiiiiatelv lfsliaped horizontally disposed bottoni bar 2, straight horizontal top bar 3 and vertical side liars -`l. connecting the ktop and bottom bars. The top and bottom bars are also connected by central and side inclined rods and liv this construction., the is tapered and inclined siiriilarlv toan ordiiiar v`eo\\'-f-atelier. The bottoni bar is er@ tended laterally bevond the si le bai. I, and the tender is pro-'vided at opposite sides with vertical arms T. extending` upuarV the terminal extensions o? the i. Q. and slidabl'v arranged iii vertical guides S ot' a iiiaiii supporting l 'lilie slidalile mounting oll the 'lender i ableI the latter lo be raised and if-rari." i it is iioriiialliv `suppoi'ttul iii an elevaeiil sitioii approxiiiinteli' at the line clearance ol' the., auioiiiohile. "i'iie p: construction iiiul iiuiiiiieiVv ot slifiaiili mounting the tender l are not speeiticalij.' elaiinerA in the present application. as claims tor t` eoiistiuetion are i'ii'eseiited in a eon'ipaiiioii atpplieation tiled iav i5, i'zlll, teriai No. t'i'." w. which also contains claims generic tothe torni ot autonidiiile tender shown and described iii the said application ari also application. 'l`he main supporting bracket is composed of the said opposite vertical guides S, a top transverse connecting` liar 'l2 and horizontal longitudinal arms 13. extending rearnardl)y troni the tubular guides 8 at'y a point intermediate ot the ends thereof, and provided with integral inclined attaching larged horizontal 'plan view partly in se'ci portions la, toi-ming front sprinff supports and designed to be secured to the side beamsA of the frame of an automobile, whereby the inain supporting bracket'is rigidly mounted thereon. 'lhe main supporting bracket may .5 be mounted on the automobile in any other desired manner. The guides 8 are providedr adjacent to their lower endswith inwardly extending transversely disposed guiding arms 15, arranged horizontally and proto vided with recesses 16, 'which receive the vertical side rods 4 of the fender l. These transverse inwardly projecting arms support the top of the fender when the latter is dropped to its lower position, asclearly '15 illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings,I so that there is no liability of the upper portion of the fender yielding when subjected to a strain or jar incident to striking a person or otherobject.

The rearwardly extending side arms of the main supporting bracket are provided at their front portions with longitudinal openings '17 for the reception of reciprocatory side bars 18. projecting outwardly or forwardly in advance of the main supporting bracket and the fender and supporting a transversely disposed pneumatic buffer '19, vextending entirelyv across the front of the automobile and having rear- 3-0 wardly curved terminal portions, ex-

tending to the planes of the wheels,

as clearlyillust rated in FigwQ of the drawings. The fender may also be extended enl tirely across the, automobile to the plane of the wheels instead of being of a width corresponding to the width of the body of the automobile, as' illustrated inthe drawings. The pneumatic fender is preferably constructed, as shown and described in the 4@ aforesaid application, and is composed of inner and oiit-er tubes 2O andI 21, and is equippe'd with a suitable valve 22, adapted to be connected with a .pump in the usual. manner for inllating the pneumatic butter. if .lhe frontor outer ends of the side bars 18 are connected by hinges 2? and 24 with the vmetallic hack 25 ofthe buffer. the hinge connections permitting either side of the buffer to he forced rearwardly without straining 5C the connections at thel opposite side of the buffer. rlfhe hinges 23 and 24 are provided with vertical pivots, and the leaf or hinge element QG of the hinge 24 consists of a rectangular plate, slidably mounted in guides 15"Vor ways F37 of a plate Q8. The plate 28 is secured to the metallic back ofthe buffer, and the slidable connection between the hutfer and the hinget facilitates the independent operation of the side bars to drop 0 the fender, as hereinafter fully explained. The buffer is also cushioned by coiled springs 29, disposed on the inner orrear portions of the side bars 18 and interposed between xed eyes and follower plates 31 and 32. The follower plates I81 and 32 are fitted snugly on reduced rear portions of the side rods or bars 18, and are held against. shoulders 18a thereof by the coiled springs 29; `.Vlienv the side barsor rods Yare moved inwardly or rearwardly, the said shoulders 18Ll engage the follower plates and move the saine inwardly or rearwardly. The eyes 30 consist of perforated lugs extending laterally from the inner or ."ear ends of the arms ,18. The rear or inner ends 'of the coiled springs 29 bear against the eyes 0r lugs 30, and the follower plates, which bear against the front ends of the coiled springs, are engaged by shoulders of the rods or bars 18. lVhen the side bars 18 are moved inwardly or rearwardly by the buffer, the kcoiled springs 29 are compressed to cushion the butter and also to return the parts to 'their initial position.

The vertically movable fender is provided at the inner sides of the vertical guide bars 4 with. metallic loops or boxes 84. forming openings 35 for the reception or forwardly extending arms 36 and 3T of a transverse. rock shaft 38,.jour`naled in suitable bearings 89 mounted on the rearwardly extending arms 13 of tlieniaiu supporting bracket. The arms 36 are provided at their front or outer ends with rounded approximately eircular heads. 40, which operate iii thev openings 35 ofthe metallic loops or boxes of the fender. lVlien the fender drops, it earries with it the arms 36 and 537, which swing downward lfrom the positionillustrated in full lines in Fig. 6 ofthe drawings `to that shown in dotted liiiesin the said figure. The rock shaft 38 is also provided with a rear upwardly extcnding'arm 41, preferably formed integral with the arm 36 at the right. hand side of the device, the arms 86 and 4l constituting a hell crank lever, which is suitably fixed to the transverse rock shaft 88. The rear arm 41 is connected by a longitudinal rod 42 with a dependingr arm 43 of an operating lever 44. which is also in the form of a bell crank. The operating lever 44 is fulcruined at its angle' on a suitable pivot 45, and it has aforwardly extending arm 4.6. carrying a curved upwardly extending bar or portion 47. The bar or portion 47 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the outer end of the varm 46 into an arcuate tubular guide 48 which projects upwardly and rearwardly from a base plate 4f) and preferably is formed integral with the same, and provided at onel side with a longitudiral slot 50 in which operates the shank of a foot plate 511. The foot plate extends laterally from the arcuate baror portion 4T, and is adapted to be depressed by the foot ot' the'chaufl'eur or driver to oscillate.

the operatinglever 44 and partially rotate the rock shaft 38 for swinging the arms 36 'and 37 upwardly to raise the fender. -'lhe tender drops by gravity assisted by springs to engage the arms 3G and 37 and the said studs 55, as clearly illustrated in Fig. (5 ot the drawings.

The springs and gravity cause the fender to drop instantly upon the saine being released.

Thet'ender is normally supported in an elevated position by a pair ot catches or dogs 5G, depending from a transverse rock shaft 57, which iS journaled in suitable bearings 58 of the arms 13. The dogs or catches.

which are provided attheir upper ends with eyes toreceive the rock shaft 57, are suitably fixed to the saine, and they are provided at their lower portions with shoulders 59, located at the frontv edges of the dogs or catches and arranged to engage with lugs 60, formed integral with and project-- ing laterally trom the outer side faces ot' the arms 36 and 37. The dogs or catches are urged forwardly and are maintained in engagen'ient with the lugs G0 by springs (il, each consisting of a coil surroundingthe rock shaft ,57 and secured aty one end G2 to the arm. 13 and having its other end 63. engaging the rear edge ot the catch or doo. The coils ot the springs (i1 may be supported by the bearings 5S, or they may be mounted in any other desired manner. The lower ends of the catchesl or dogs are tapered, and they are adapted to engage with the lugs GO automatically when the fender is raised.

As soon as the lugs tl() are carried upward above the shoulders 5S) ot the catchesv or dogs, the latter will be moved i'orward beneath the said lugs (30. The downward movement ot the tender ma;v be limited by lthe operating niechinasm tor raising the saine, or the tubular guides may be lslotted tor the reception otl pins or keys, as shown and described in the `said companion application.

'lhe follower plate 3l yat the right hand Side ot the tendrr is extended downwardly and provided at itsl lower cud with a laterally projecting stud G4. which extends through a longitudinal slot (35 ot' a link (itl.

The link G6 is provided at Vits trout end with an eve 57, and is connecttu1 b v a pin (3S. or other suitable pivot to the lower end ot' 'the right'- hand catch or dog. pivot GS pierces the dog, as clearly shown The pin or in Fig. 7 of the drawings. and the rear end j l moved inwardly either through striking `a provided with an opening 69 and is cont person or other object, or through contact of the link. which is slightly inclined, is

nected to the frontend of a Wire cord or cable 70, or other suitable flexible connection, which extends rearwardly to an operating lever 71 within reach of the chauffeur or driver to enable him to operate the dogs or catches by hand. then the butter moves inwardly or rearwardly, it carries with it the Side bars and the follower plate 31, and through the latter moves the link 66 inwardly 0r rearwardly and withdraws the catch from engagement with the lugs of the arms 3G and 37, thereby releasing or tripping the tender and permitting the saine to instantly drop to its lowered position, The slotand stud connection between thc link and the follower plate al1 permits the link 6Gl to be moved rearwardly and to be operated by hand independently of the butter and the follower plate 31.

V The flexible connection passes under a guide pulley 72, and it is connected with the hand lever1 7l at a point intermediate ot the ends thereof. 'l`hc hand lever is provided between its ends with an eycll'l to receive thei'eai' end ot the cord or cable, and it is mounted on thc .steering pillar ot the automobile b v means ot' a. clamp composed Vol two sectionsI T4 and 75. The clamp ot' circular shape to contorni to thc configuration ot the steering pillar,and theI sections, which are approximately semi-circular, have extended terminals connected by boltsl 76, or other suitable fastening devices. One ot' the sections ot thc clamp is extended to torni 'a lsupporting arm 77, to which thc hand level' 71 is pivotcd by a holt 7S, or other suitable fastening device. The hand lever is bent outwardly adjacent to its pivot to ott-set the body portion ot the lever troni the steering pillar, but thc hand lever may he mounted in any other desired manner, and it is preferably sul'iported by a stop 75l. ly locating thc hand lcver beneath the steer ing wheel St), it in convenient position to he instantly operated b v the chauffeur or drivel'` as a light blow upon the lever trom the underside will release the tender. '.lhis may bc done in the 'traction ot a second, and a glove or `gauntlet worn by the chautl'eur or driver will notv interfere with a quick operation ot' the hand lever.

'lhc follower plate 3l is provided with an extended top portion Sl, arranged in advance ol and adapted to engage a trigger S2 o t' an alarm 8B. The alarm 85, which may be ot' any preterrtul construction, is mounted,

upon thc arm 3, and it is prct'eiabl)l etpiippcd with a bell or gong' and suitable izo with an automobile or other vehicle. The alarm .serves to warn the chaut't'enr ot' an accident. and it' an automobile left Standing at 'the sidewalk ork other point should be struck by another automobile or vehicle. the alarm. which will be sounded, will notify or warn a person sone distance from the scene ot' tln,l accident.

The right hand reciprocatoiv sidebar or rod 18 is provided at itsrear end with" a reduced extension Si. forming au inner transverse shoulder 35 and cooperating' with a vertical receptacle S6 for ejecting a plurality of identitication checks 8T therefrom. The receptacle.'which is preferably cylindrial. is provided at a point between its ends with an attaching' arm SS. secured by screws.r or other suitable vtas-leningY devices/ to the upper t'ace o't the adjacent bracket arm 1S atI the rear end thereof. The vcrti al receptacle is provided at its top with a removable screw cap S9. and a coiled sprinq 5)() is interposed between the cap and the top othc column or series ot idr-*ntitication checks for forcing' down the latter within the receptacle rl`hc identification checks are. designed to hear the number ol an automobile or other.identifying matter. and when the side har it? is moved rearwardly. its rear check ejcctingr extcnsionis carried undcr'or y through the lower end of the l'eccptacle.

thereby dischartrinpt a prcdetcrmined numlncr ot checks. so that in event ot' an accidciit nisln also enables the tender to be droppedA hy the chauti'enr or driver .before the alitomohile strikes a erson or object, but if the chauti'eur should lie asleep,drunlncareless or reckless. the device will automatically pert'orm the said functions of dropping;T the tender, sounding the alarm and discharging the identiticati-on checks. v

The vert-ical tubular guides are provided at their upper ends with elastic caps 91,` con-v.

strut-ted as described and claimed ,inthe .said application and formingl cushions to prevent a person being injured through contact', with lthe upper ends of the vertical guides. i

Having' thus" Full)v described my inven tion what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. 1s:-

1. A device of the classdescribed including a t'cnder slidable upwardly and do\vn wai-diy. means for Aguiding` the fender in its sliding movement. an oscillatory varm pivotcd at one end and connected at theother end withthe fender, a catch directly engageable with the arm at a point between its pivot and the fender for holding thelatter Ain an elevated position, and means connected with the catch `for tripping the same'to permit the fender to drop. l

device ot' the class described includ ing' a fender slidable upwardly and downwardly. means tor guiding the fender in its sliding' i'novement, an oscillatory armpivotcd atV one end and connected at the other end with the fender. a catch directly engageable with the arm at a point between its pivot'. and the t'endcr for holdin the latter in an elevated position, means connected with the catch ior tripping the same to permit the tender to drop.v and separate manualli' operable means connected With the arm,

raisingY and setting the fender.

device ot the class described including a tender `slidable upwardly and downwardly. means tor guiding the fender in its sliding movement, an oscillatory arm connected with the fender. a catch for holding thc arm to retain the tender in an elevated position. a movahlv monntedvlnitfer, and means connectinpr thc butter with the catch t'or tripping' the same when the butter is mol-vcd inwardly.

t. device ot' theclass described including a tender slidable upwardly and down-` wardly. mains for guidingthe fender in its .sliding movement, an oscillatory arm connected with the fender.` a catch for holding;r the arm to retain the tender in an elc- \ated position. means for trippingr the catch tor releasing the 'tender to permit the latter vto drop, and a spring connected with the arm for actuating the sami and the 'teni'ler in the downward movement. of t-hevlatter A device of the class described includingr'a fender slidable upwardly and downwardly.y means t`or guiding the fender in its slidinfl movement. an oscillatory arm connected with4 the tender. a catch for holdingr the arm to retain the fender in an elevated position. means for tripping the catch to `relcasezthe fender and permit it to drop,.

Aand a spring consisting of a coil having one terminal connected with the said arm, and a stud mounted on a fixed portion of thedevice and receivingythe other terminal Aof the spring.

(3. device of the class described includ' ing a tender lslidable upwardly7 and downwardly.. means tor g'uiding, tie fender in its sliding movement. a catch, an oscillatory arm connected with the fender. and provided with means tor direct-ly engaging the catch to support the fender in an elevated position. manually operable mea-ns connected vwith the catch t'or tripping the Same to permit the fender to fall. and separate manually operable mechanism connected the' wardly, means' 't'or guiding the fender in its sliding movement, an oscillatory arm connected with the fender and provided with a projecting lug, a catch arranged to engage the lug for supporting the tender in an elevated position, and means connected with the catch tor moving the same out of engagement with the lug to release the tender.

S. :t device of the class described including a tender movable upwardly and downwardly, an oscillatory arm connected with the tender and provided with a projecting lug, a pivoted catch arranged in the path of the lug and adapted lo engage the same auton'iatically when the arm is swung upward, a spring connected with the catch for urging the same in the direction otl the lug and tor maintaining the catch in/ engagement with the same, and means for operating the catch to release thev tender.

9. device of the class described including a tender movable upwardly and down' wardly, oscillatory arms connected with the fender, a shaft connecting the oscillatory arms, a rock shaft provided with catches arranged to engage the arms for holding the tender in an elevated position, and means 'tor operating the rock shaft to release the tender.

lo. device of the class described including a tender movable upwardly and downwardly and provided at opposite sides with boxes or loops forming openings, oscillatory arms having'rounded heads operating in the said openings, catches arranged to engage the arms :tor supporting the tender in -an elevated position, and means for operating the catches to release the fender.

ll. A device ot the class described including a 'tender movable upwardly and downwardly, an oscillatory arm connected with the tender, a catch engaging the arm i'or the fender in an elevated position, a bullet' n'iovable inwardly and outwardly,1neans for connect-ing the ouder with the catch vfor releasing the arm, and operating mechanism connected with the arm tor oscillating the same to raise the 'fender'. 1Q. .fk device ot the class described including a tender movable upwardly and down- 'ardly, a pivotally mounted bell crank lo cated in rear of the tender and having one ot' its arms connected with the fender, and an operating lever connected with the other arm ot' the bell c 'ank for raising the fender, means tor holding the fender in an elevated position, and a buffer located in advance ot-thefender and connected with the holding means -tor tripping the fender.

t3. A device or" the class described including a tender movable upwardly and downwardly, a rock shaft having spaced forwardly extending oscillatory arms connected with the fender, said rock shaft bcing, also provided with a rear arm, an operating lever, connections between the operating lever and1 the rear arm ol the rock shaft, spaced catches arranged lo engage the forwardly extending arms, and 'means for operating the 'att-,hes to release the tender.

l-l. A device of the class described inclnding a fender slidable upwardly and downwardly, means for guiding the 'tender in its sliding n'iovement., a catch for holding the tender in an elevated position, a link connected with the catch, manually oper` able means located in the rear o'f the tender and connected with the link tor. actuating the saine to operate the catch` a butter located in advance of the tender, and means connecting the butler with the link.

l5. A device ot' the class described including a 'tender slid-able upwardly an'd-` downwardly, means for guiding the tender in its sliding movement, a catch tor holding the tender in an elevated position, a link connected with the catch, manually opera able means located in rear of the fender andV connected with the link for actuating the saine to operate the catch, a butter located in advance of the tender, and means connecting the butter with the link, said means permitting an independent movement of the link when the latter is actuated by the mannally operable means.

lli. A device of the class described including a fender slid/able upwardly and downwardly, means for guiding the 'tender in its sliding movement, a catch Jfor holding the tender in an elevated position, manually operable. means located in rear ot' the fender and connected with the catch for releasingI the. fender, a butter located in advance of the tender, and means connecting `the butler with the catch lfor releasing the tender, the manually operable means being movable independently ot the means connectingI the butter with the catch,

li. A device ot the class described including a fender slidable upwardly and downwardly, means'for guiding the fender in its sliding movement, a catch for holding the fender in an elevated position, a link connected with the catch, a buffer located in advance of the tender, a reciprocatory bar connected with the butler, and means connect-ing the bar and the link.

18. A device ot' the class described including a fender Slidable upwardly and downwardly, means for guiding the fender in its sliding movement, a catch for holding the tender in an elevated position, a link connected with the catch, a butter located in advance of the fender, a reciprocatory bar connected with the buli'er, and a tollower mounted on the said bar and connected with the link. v

lO. A device ot' the clas A described including a fender movable upwardly and downwardly, a ratch for holding4 the tender in an elevated position, a link connected with the catch, a reciprocatory bar connected with the butter, a follower mounted on the said bar and connected with the link, the latter being movableiin'lependenttv ot the follower, and manuallyv operable means connected with the link,

.20. A device ot' the class dest-ritual iucluding a fender movable upwardl)Y and downwardly, a catch for supportingl 'the fender in an elevated pceiiion, a bull'er mov-- able inwardly and outwardly` a reciproci tory bar connected with the butter, a follower plate carried by the bai' and having a projecting` stud, a link connected with the catch and having a slot. receiving the stud, and opeiatin` mechanim connected with the link.

21. A deific'e of the class described including a fender movable upwardly and downwardly, an oscillatory arm connected with the fender, a catch engaging` the arm t'or supporting the fender in an elevated poeition. a butter, a reciproeatory bar connected with the butter, a link connected with the patch. a follower mounted on the reciprocatory bar and having a slidable connection with the link to permit an independent operation ot the latter, and operating mechani'sm connected with the link.

22. A device of the class described including' a fender movable upwardly and downwardly, means tor mountingthe same on an automobile atthe front thereof, a catch Ytor supporting the fender in an elevated position, a clamp adapted to embrace and engage the steering` pillar of an' automobile, an operatinglever pivotally mounted on the clamp, and a flexible connection ex tendine from the lever and connected with the catch.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto atiixed my signature n the presence of two witnesses.

VILSON l. SYMONS.-

Witnesses ALFRED CoWLEs, G. F. TEUTON.

Ii tl fin 0e 

